The US government has agreed to import expanded quotas of fresh Thai fruit but has warned Thai exporters that they must strictly follow its agricultural and health safety regulations to assure their shipments are pest-free, a senior Thai official has announced.

Rachane Potjanasunthorn, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, said US Department of Agriculture officials from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) signed an agreement earlier this month to import Thai mangoes, mongosteens, pineapples, rambutans,lychees and longans.

The shipments must be appropriately treated before they are exported to the United States to block the potential spread of animal and plant pests, he said.

The US Food and Drug Administration monitors pesticide residues on imported fresh fruits and strictly adheres to scientifically monitored phytosanitary standards, he said.

''Exporters need to present phytosanitary (plant health) certificates to show that their shipments of fruit have been treated and are certified pest-free,'' Rachane added.

Thailand has exported Bt2.2 billion ($55 million) worth of fruits and vegetables to the US in the past two years, and the indications are that the trade will expand significantly following closure of any Thai-US Free Trade Area agreement.

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